Valerie Ruberto
PMHNP-BC
Phone:
(201) 907-7915
Email:
Address:
410 Ramapo Valley Rd, Suite 203B
Oakland, NJ 07436
*Valerie will be changing her last name to Mata after her wedding in November 2026
Research-driven, patient care
My background in psychiatric clinical research continues to shape how I care for patients today. Before becoming a PMHNP, I studied bipolar disorder and treatment-resistant depression, developing a deeper understanding of how mood disorders affect both the brain and body. I bring that research-informed perspective into every appointment, combining clinical insight with genuine empathy to provide thoughtful, individualized care.
Education
Tufts University
B.S. in Clinical Psychology
I graduated Summa Cum Laude from Tufts University with a B.S. in Clinical Psychology. Tufts is one of the only universities that offers an undergraduate clinical psychology degree. In this program, I learned the foundations of psychology, various psychological theories, a variety of therapeutic modalities, and the diagnosis of mental disorders.
Seton Hall University
B.S. in Nursing
After graduating from Tufts, I decided to change careers to become a registered nurse (RN). I graduated Magna Cum Laude from Seton Hall's Accelerated BSN program. During this program, I completed clinical rotations at Summit Oaks Hospital, Newark Beth Israel, Jersey Shore Medical Center, and more.
Duke University
M.S. in Nursing
I received my MSN degree from Duke University's Psychiatric Mental-Health Nurse Practitioner program. This program has been ranked #1 among PMHNP programs by US News & World Report for 7 consecutive years.
Research Publications
Throughout my career, I've published peer-reviewed research. My areas of interest are bipolar disorder, and treatment-resistant depression. I have had jobs and clinical research internships at Massachusetts General Hospital, McLean Hospital, and Mount Sinai Medical Center.
Research on how stress shows up physically in the body (headaches, fatigue, stomach issues, etc.), and how that connects to depression. If you ever felt like your depression symptoms were more physical than mental, you're not imagining it.​
Research on how physical illnesses (high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, etc.) are linked to depression severity in patients with bipolar disorder or major depressive disorder. The more physical illnesses a person has, the more severe their depression tends to be. This was true even when other variables were taken into consideration. Your physical health is closely tied to your mental health, and that should be considered as part of your treatment plan.
Research on how family history of mental health conditions affects bipolar disorder. We found that people with more mental health conditions in their family tend to have more severe symptoms and may need more intensive treatment, but they respond just as well to treatment over time. If mental health challenges run in your family, it can shape your experience, but it doesn’t define your outcome.
Research on how childhood trauma, especially emotional abuse during the teenage years, can shape depression later in life. We found that certain experiences, like verbal abuse in late adolescence, may have a lasting impact on mood. If parts of your past still affect how you feel today, there are real reasons for that. Your past is an important clue towards how your symptoms manifest today.
Research on how a sense of control affects mental health and overall quality of life. We found that the way the brain responds to feeling in control may help predict improvements in stress levels and life satisfaction over time. If feeling out of control has ever affected your stress or mood, there’s a real biological link behind that experience.
Joel Mata
Practice Administrator
Joel manages the administrative side of Mata Psychiatry and helps ensure that patients receive prompt, attentive support throughout their experience with the practice. He assists with scheduling, billing, insurance matters, and patient communications, and is often the friendly voice patients hear when they call. Joel is committed to making the administrative process as simple and stress-free as possible so that patients can focus on their care.
What Makes Mata Psychiatry Different?
Family Owned and Operated
Mata Psychiatry is a family-owned and operated practice dedicated to providing personalized, compassionate psychiatric care. As a small independent practice, we strive to build lasting relationships with our patients and provide a level of responsiveness and attention that can be difficult to find in larger healthcare organizations.
Fast Response Times
We respond to all messages within 24 business hours. Joel monitors the phone and email throughout the day while Valerie meets with patients. You won't need to worry about whether or not you'll be able to get in touch with us for an urgent question. We also offer same-day and next-day appointments to help you receive care promptly!
Collaborative Holistic Care
We take the time to get to know you as an entire person to help address your mental health in all areas of your life. We take a collaborative approach towards treatment by considering your opinions and preferences when prescribing and conducting therapy sessions. You're the expert on your own lived experience!